I made a Radio! I am teaching myself robotics and the first lesson I figured I'd learn is soldering. Bought a small soldering kit on Amazon and put this together
The problems I had were these damn wires being finnicky about attaching, the battery compartment not wanting to fit right, and my back killing me afterward but it all came together in the end.
DEVLOG_001 // SIGNAL PROJECT
STATUS: SUCCESS
DATE: 2026-06-02
BOOTING... > Signal Project Initialized > Objective: Learn Basic Electronics > Mission: Assemble FM Radio Kit > Threat Assessment: Moderate > Confidence Level: Low
Today I picked up a soldering iron for the first time.
The goal was simple: build a small FM radio from a beginner electronics kit.
The reality was somewhat more chaotic.
INITIAL CONDITIONS
I began with a pile of components, a PCB, and instructions that claimed to be beginner-friendly.
This was later determined to be misinformation.
Several sections of the documentation were incorrect. Component placement diagrams did not always match reality. At multiple points I found myself staring at the board and asking:ERROR: Instructions do not appear to be operating within known physical laws.
A consultation with Damon confirmed that I was not, in fact, losing my mind.
Documentation was wrong.
Operator sanity preserved.
FIELD REPORT
Learned skills acquired:
Component identification
PCB reading
Through-hole soldering
Basic troubleshooting
Not blindly trusting documentation
Asking questions before creating expensive problems
Unexpected challenge encountered:ENCOUNTER: Battery Compartment Threat Level: HIGH
The battery wiring repeatedly detached during installation.
The enclosure fought back.
Several attempts were required before successful integration.
Mechanical systems remain suspicious.
HUMAN FACTORS
Extended work session resulted in severe ergonomic penalties.WARNING: Back Integrity Reduced Mobility Debuff Applied Countermeasures: - Tylenol - Hot Shower
Future upgrades to workstation ergonomics are recommended before proceeding with additional hardware operations.
RESULTS
After approximately one hour of assembly, troubleshooting, and negotiations with the battery compartment:POWER ON... DISPLAY ACTIVE SPEAKER ACTIVE FM SIGNAL DETECTED STATUS: OPERATIONAL
The radio works.
I built a functioning electronic device with my own hands.
UNEXPECTED BONUS EVENT
Upon observing the completed build, my kid immediately requested a soldering kit of their own and informed me that they thought it was awesome that I was learning something that scared me.
Achievement Unlocked:PARENTING.EXE STATUS: SUCCESS
We are now planning future electronics projects.
The contagion appears to be spreading.
NEXT OBJECTIVES
Complete Learn-to-Solder Path
Arduino Fundamentals
Raspberry Pi Pico Programming
Circuit Design Basics
Continue Signal Project Development
FINAL NOTES
Today was not about building a radio.
Today was proof that electronics are learnable.
The instructions were wrong.
The battery compartment was hostile.
My back filed a formal complaint.
The radio works anyway.LOG SAVED. SIGNAL PROJECT CONTINUES...
